The Constitution (One Hundred and Twelfth Amendment) Bill, 2009 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 24, 2009 by the Minister of Urban Development, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy. The Bill was referred to the Department related Standing Committee on Urban Development (Shri Sharad Yadav), which is expected to submit its report within three months.

Article 243T of the Constitution provides that a minimum of one-third of the total number of seats filled by direct elections in every Municipality shall be reserved for women. The seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality.

Also, a minimum of one-third seats shall be reserved for SC/ST women within the seats reserved for SC/STs in a Municipality.

Offices of Chairpersons in Municipality shall be reserved for SC/STs and women in a manner to be prescribed the state legislatures. The reservation of SC/STs shall be in proportion to the population of SC/STs in the state.

The Bill seeks to amend the article to enhance the quantum of reservation for women from one-third to one-half of the total seats in a Municipality. This is also applicable to offices of Chairpersons and seats reserved for SC/STs.